[Side Effects of Occupational Group Therapy]

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Psychotherapy Research

Background:

• Occupational therapy is a recognized co-therapy in psychiatric treatment.
• A common misconception is that occupational therapy carries no risks.
• Research on negative effects of group-based occupational therapy is limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the types and intensity of side effects associated with occupational group therapy.
• To challenge the assumption of risk-free occupational therapy.
• To provide data on adverse events in occupational therapy settings.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the Adverse Treatment Reaction Group Checklist with 45 patients in inpatient rehabilitation.
• Assessed 47 items across six dimensions: group size, content, participants, outcome, and global stress.
• Employed a 5-point Likert scale for self-rating of side effect severity (0=not at all, 4=extremely stressful).

Main Results:

• 88.9% of patients reported experiencing negative effects from occupational group therapy.
• 28.9% of patients rated the experienced side effects as severe or extremely stressful.
• The checklist effectively identified various types and intensities of adverse events.

Conclusions:

• Occupational therapy, like other group therapies, is associated with potential side effects.
• Adverse effects should be anticipated and managed during the planning and implementation of occupational therapy.
• Further research is warranted to understand and mitigate these negative outcomes.